Gracie's Classic Roast Beef

Gracie Allen's Roast Beef

1 large Roast of beef
1 small Roast of beef

Take the two roasts and put them in the oven.
When the little one burns, the big one is done.

I just ran across this recipe on the web and had to share the laugh with you (although I think the recipe would really work!).

In case you're not old enough to know who Gracie is, you can read about her and her husband, George Burns, here.

Red Beans and Rice

Did you know that red beans are the best antioxidant source of any food? (Here's some information about antioxidants and why they're good for you.) Red beans with rice also falls into my definition of great comfort food, perfect for the wintery weather that we've been having lately. I fixed a variation of this recipe over the past cold, wet weekend and it warmed us up nicely - and tasted great, too! (I didn't have access to a smoked turkey wing, so I used more traditional smoked sausage. I suppose it wasn't as healthy that way, but it still tasted good - and I used brown rice to help make up the difference.)

Red Beans & Smoked Turkey

1 lb (500g) dried red beans
1/2 cup (120mL) chopped celery
1 cup (120mL) chopped onion
1 Tbsp. (15mL) Mrs. Dash® Extra Spicy Seasoning Blend
1 Tbsp. (15mL) Mrs. Dash® Mesquite Grilling Blend™
1 Qt. (1L) cold water
1 lb (500g) smoked turkey wing (1 medium wing) or drumstick
3 cups (750mL) rice

Sort and wash beans. Place beans in 4 Qt. (3L) Dutch oven; cover with water 2 inches above beans. Soak for 30 minutes or overnight. Drain.

Add celery, onion, Mrs. Dash® Seasoning Blends, turkey wing and water to a 4 Qt. (3L) Dutch oven. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat; cover, cook over low heat 2 to 3 hours or until beans and turkey are tender. Remove turkey wing; cut meat from bone; mix meat into beans.

Cook rice. Toss rice with 1 Tbsp. (15mL) Mrs. Dash® Extra Spicy if extra spice is desired.

To read the recipe with its complete nutritional information, go to the Mrs. Dash website. I love Mrs. Dash® seasonings and now there are so many variations, there's bound to be one that's perfect for whatever you're cooking.

The smoked turkey sounds wonderful, so if you prepare this with the turkey, please leave a comment here and let me know how you liked it!

Our Favorite Sloppy Joes

I have an old American Heart Association cookbook that contains the 1975 version of this recipe. The updated version, reprinted here, leaves out the salt and recommends healthier, whole grain buns. I've fixed this many, many times and we love it. Serve these with some crunchy baby carrots for a nice, cool contrast.

Sloppy Joes

1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, diced
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons chili sauce
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
6 whole-wheat hamburger buns

Brown meat and onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour off fat.

Add all other ingredients except buns, mixing well. Reduce heat and simmer 20 to 30 minutes, uncovered.

Spoon onto hamburger buns and serve immediately.

Calories: 270
Protein: 21 g
Carbohydrates: 26 g
Total Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 4 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg
Sodium: 519 mg

From the American Heart Association Cookbook.

Gators' Florida Sunshine Shake

The sun is shining in Florida today. I haven’t checked the weather forecast, but it has to be true after our SEC conference champion Florida Gators chomped up those Ohio State Buckeyes last night, becoming the college football national champions! Despite my ties to Columbus and Ohio State, I’m an SEC fan and since Florida beat our Arkansas Razorbacks for the SEC title, last night our family was cheering for Florida all the way. What a fantastic game it was!

So, wash down those Buckeyes with this healthy recipe from www.floridajuice.com and let some of that Florida sunshine shine down on you today!

Florida Sunshine Shake

1 cup Florida Orange Juice
1/2 cup Florida Grapefruit Juice
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in blender until smooth. Pour into glass, and serve immediately. Makes two 8-ounce servings.

Woody's Buckeyes

My son recently requested that I fix these for him. I'll admit, I haven't done it yet, but Monday night is the Ohio State vs Florida national championship bowl game, so the timing now is perfect. We'll be rooting for Florida (gotta stick with the SEC), but these Buckeyes would make a great game night snack.

Buckeyes

1 box powdered sugar
1/4 lb butter or margarine
1 10-ounce jar creamy peanut butter
1 12-ounce package chocolate chips
1 ounce paraffin

Combine sugar, margarine and peanut butter until mixed well. Roll into small balls and chill. Melt chocolate chips and paraffin over double boiler and dip buckeyes, leaving a small spot on top uncovered so the candy resembles the nut for which it is named.